Y'all, I can't believe it, but A Rogue By Any Other Name is coming out in less than three weeks. I don't know how this happened. It seems like only yesterday, I was trolling about the Internet in search of rogues real and fictional to inspire Michael, Marquess of Bourne, the rogue by any other name in question.

So, it's only natural that to celebrate the launch of Rogue, I host some of my favorite writers to talk about their own favorite rogues! Make sure to come back all month long...as I know there will be some pretty fantastic odes to rogues and even more fantastic book giveaways to come!

First up! The wonderful Shana Galen, on a Rogue we can all love! Welcome, Shana!

I love rogues. What woman doesn’t? Rogues are the ultimate bad boys. They don’t follow the rules; they don’t play nice; and they’re sexy as hell.

My favorite rogues have always been pirates—think Johnny Depp, Errol Flynn, or my own Bastien from The Rogue Pirate’s Bride. But my favorite pirate will always be the one I fell in love with first, and that’s the space pirate Han Solo.

While all the other little girls were pining over blond haired, sweet-face Luke Skywalker, I was thinking about Han Solo. Han Solo was not the hero of the Star Wars movies. He was the guy who got Luke from point A to point B. He’s a space pirate with a bounty on his head. In the Star Wars galaxy, the big firepower belongs to the Imperial forces, much as it belonged to the British during the heyday of the pirate in our world. Han Solo can’t afford to cross the Empire. With Darth Vader running around choking his own guys, who can? But Han agrees to take Luke and Obi Wan Kenobi on as passengers because he needs the money to save himself.

Han Solo isn’t motivated out of any sense of kindness or goodwill. He just wants money, and at this point, he’s got bounty hunters after him and has little choice but to take a big risk to pay his debts.

But is Han really that mercenary? Like any rogue, I think he’d like everyone to think so, but who flies in at the end of Star Wars to save the day? Who’s still around in The Empire Strikes Back, hanging out with the Rebels on their barren, frozen base? He’s not there because the world of Hoth is hospitable. He’s there because inside he really is a good guy—and maybe because he’s in love with Princess Leia.

A rogue, a princess, a love story, great action, and Harrison Ford. I love how cocky Han Solo is was, and how quick he is to tell others not to be cocky! I love the sexually charged banter between Han and Princess Leia. I love that little half-smile he gives, and I love that even though he’s a rogue, he risks it all for his friends.

Because, let’s be honest: we don’t really fall in love with the bad boy. We fall in love with the good guy we know is hiding underneath the bad boy exterior.

Here are a few of my favorite Han Solo lines. Princess Leia has a part in a few of them because the banter between them is priceless.

Wonderful girl. Either I'm going to kill her or I'm beginning to like her.

Han Solo: Look, Your Worshipfulness, let's get one thing straight. I take orders from just one person: me.
Princess Leia: It's a wonder you're still alive.

Han Solo: Not a bad bit of rescuing, huh? You know, sometimes I amaze even myself.
Princess Leia: That doesn't sound too hard.

You like me because I'm a scoundrel. There aren't enough scoundrels in your life.

Now don't get jittery, Luke. There are a lot of command ships. Keep your distance, though, Chewie, but don't look like you're trying to keeping your distance... I don't know. Fly casual.

If only I could have found a way for my hero Bastien to tell his helmsman to sail casual. Maybe the next pirate book…

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Your turn, readers! We know you have a soft spot for Rogues, of course...but what do you think of Han Solo? Did he steal your heart the way he stole Shana's? Or is there another Pirate rogue who you prefer?

Shana's generously offering two copies of The Rogue Pirate’s Bride to two random commenters (U.S. and Canadian residents only)!